What Size Solar Panel Do I Need for a Air Conditioner (window / mini-split)?

1200W running draw3600W surge8h/day defaulthvac

Quick Answer

A Air Conditioner (window / mini-split) at 1200W needs at least 1600W of solar panels to run sustainably. The compressor cycles about 50% of the time, so actual daily consumption is 4.8 kWh. You need 1600W of solar total (8 panels at 200W each). Pair with a 1200Ah LiFePO4 battery at 12V for 2-day cloudy weather reserve. The EcoFlow Delta 2 Max is the simplest all-in-one solution for this load. The 3,600W startup surge means your inverter must be rated at least 4500W continuous.

System Specs for a Air Conditioner (window / mini-split)

Calculated for 8 hours/day usage, 5 peak sun hours, and 2-day LiFePO4 battery autonomy. Duty cycle of 50% applied (the air conditioner (window / mini-split) cycles on/off).

ComponentMinimum SizeDetails
Daily Energy4.8 kWh1200W at 50% duty cycle for 8h
Solar Panels1600W8x 200W or 16x 100W panels
Battery1200Ah at 12VLiFePO4, 2-day reserve (14.4 kWh usable)
Charge Controller170A MPPTHandles up to 1600W panel input at 12V
Inverter1500W continuousMust handle 3,600W startup surge, pure sine wave required

Running more than just a air conditioner (window / mini-split)? Add more appliances to your load with our full calculator

Recommended Power Station

EcoFlow Delta 2 Max

2,048Wh expandable to 6,144Wh, 2,400W AC output — the cabin and tiny home standard.

2,048Wh

Capacity

2,400W

AC Output

1000W

Max Solar In

Buy on EcoFlow.comView with Solar Panel Bundle

DIY Component List

Building your own system for a air conditioner (window / mini-split)? These components match the specs above.

Solar Panel

1600W total

Renogy 400W Solar Starter Kit (2x200W + MPPT) on Amazon

Battery

1200Ah 12V LiFePO4 minimum

LiTime 12V 200Ah LiFePO4 on Amazon

Charge Controller

170A MPPT minimum

Renogy 40A MPPT Rover on Amazon

Inverter

1500W pure sine wave, 5500W surge

Renogy 2000W Pure Sine Wave Inverter on Amazon

About the Air Conditioner (window / mini-split) Solar Load

A 10,000 BTU window air conditioner draws about 1,200 watts with a 3,600-watt startup surge. The compressor cycles on and off with a ~50% duty cycle, making real consumption closer to 600 watts average. Running 8 hours per day in cycling mode uses approximately 4,800Wh. Air conditioning is one of the largest solar loads and drives system sizing more than anything else.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many solar panels do I need to run an air conditioner?▼
A 10,000 BTU window AC at 50% duty cycle for 8 hours uses about 4,800Wh per day. With 5 peak sun hours and 20% system losses, you need 1,280 watts of solar panels just to break even on AC consumption — plus additional panels for your other loads. Realistically, running AC on solar requires 1,500–2,000 watts of panels, a 48V battery bank of at least 200Ah, and a 3,000W pure sine wave inverter capable of handling 3,600W surge. The EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra is the only turnkey power station sized for AC use. DIY is the cost-effective path for permanent installations.
Can I run a mini-split air conditioner on solar?▼
Modern inverter-driven mini-splits are significantly more efficient than window units and can run on solar systems in the 2–4kW range. A 12,000 BTU mini-split runs at about 900–1,200 watts but modulates down to 300–500 watts when the room is near temperature. Daily consumption for a well-insulated space averages 2–3 kWh, versus 5–8 kWh for a window unit. DC-inverter mini-splits from brands like Midea and Pioneer are the recommended choice for off-grid cabins. Pair with a 48V battery bank and 2,000W of solar.
What is the most efficient way to run AC on solar?▼
Run the AC only during peak solar hours (10am–4pm) when panels are producing maximum output. This eliminates the need for battery storage for AC loads — the panels power the AC directly through the inverter. Set the thermostat to pre-cool the space aggressively during solar hours, then coast on insulation through the evening. A 2,000W solar array can run a 10,000 BTU window AC continuously during peak hours. Add 400Ah of 24V LiFePO4 storage to extend AC use into the evening. A whole-home insulation upgrade often reduces AC consumption more cheaply than adding more solar panels.

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Running more than just a air conditioner (window / mini-split)?

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